Most newborns have an early hearing test soon after birth (typically about four hours post-birth) but this may not be...

Most newborns have an early hearing test soon after birth (typically about four hours post-birth) but this may not be the most reliable hearing test. Studies show that some babies fail this first test due to fluid or residual debris from the birth in their ear. These same studies note that this first test, if failed, can cause stress to parents and possibly cost money if a health care provider recommends extra testing. What should happen is a second test. If your baby fails the four hour newborn hearing test, it's best to retest at 24 hours and if your baby fails the 24 hour test, another test (about ten days later) is smart. During a study on this topic at Mount Sinai Hospital, 2,462 infants were tested for hearing. 3% failed the first hearing test, but 50 of these 69 infants passed on the retest, leaving a failure rate of less than 1%. So, if your baby doesn't pass his first hearing test, don't panic, he may just need the second test to rule out hearing problems. Interested in more information about your baby's ears? Read...